NBC to Use AI Jim Fagan Voice for NBA

NBC will use artificial intelligence to revive the late Jim Fagan's iconic voice for select NBA title sequences, show opens, and promos as the network resumes NBA coverage starting in October 2025. The project, developed with Fagan’s family, aims to evoke the nostalgia of his 1990s and early 2000s broadcasts while honoring his legacy for a new generation. The AI-generated Fagan voice will supplement, not replace, live voiceover work by current broadcasters. NBC will also bring back the classic 'Roundball Rock' theme song and has announced key on-air talent for its NBA programming. While NBC frames the initiative as a tribute, some fans have expressed concerns about using AI to recreate deceased personalities. This move builds on NBC's previous use of AI to synthesize Al Michaels' voice for Olympic coverage.